Dim Sum Poems
So, this year, I was invited to a long-running Xmas morning dim sum get-together with some friends. What I did not know, until roughly 24 hours before, was that it was often a tradition to bring little somethings to exchange as gifts. At that moment, I was still busily assembling half of my Xmas present for the twins (hand-bound books for them to write in or have me write in for them), and so had no time to do anything.
I was immediately told that since I was a late addition, and didn't know about the tradition until now, I would certainly be excused from bringing something -- indeed, that no excuse was required; it was not a requirement, just something some people did.
However, those of you who know how I am about gifts would know I would not let that sit. And, as it happened, I had many sheets of nicer-than-laser-printer white paper, a stamp with a fancy "S" on it -- for use on Simone's book -- and a very nice Faber Castell Artist's pen.
So: I took those sheets, folded them in half along the long axis; on the outside was the title, and on the inside of each, a hand-written poem on the subject of Dim Sum, with the S stamp and date for signature.
So, presenting to anyone who might be amused, the "Formal Poetry Dim Sum" cycle -- for, like dim sum itself, here's a collection of small bites. ;)
A Limerick on Dim Sum
The advantage of eating dim sum
is simple; the plates simply come
direct to your table.
As soon as you're able,
You can loudly exclaim "Oh, yum!"
A Haiku on Dim Sum
Shrimp, pork, braised tofu;
comes too quickly to savor --
take your own sweet time!
A Ghazal on Dim Sum
What should it be -- that last and perfect bite?
The dumpling, the sprout, the tart, what bite?
I long to once again feel that first soupy burst
of the Shanghai dumpling's vinegary bite.
You tease me with your choices, always more
possibilities before me; I could take one bite.
I watch the other carts, and see plates vanish
from them to other tables; not for me to bite.
Today I shall not reach dim sum perfection,
but I shall enjoy the trial, to the utter final bite.
Gushi on Dim Sum
To each their own unique taste;
The group chooses the menu.
The shattering of fried dough;
the melting of the dumpling.
The rush of food to the plate;
the conversation so calm.
Quodlibet for Dim Sum
In half an hour you'll be hungry again;
Oh, I couldn't eat another bite!
Pass me the plate,
Oh, I couldn't eat another bite!
In half an hour you'll be hungry again;
Pass me the plate!
Sevenling for Dim Sum
Pork buns,
Shrimp dumplings,
and bamboo steamers;
Baked, or steamed,
steamed, or fried,
open, or closed --
choices enough to make you stammer.
Sedoka for Dim Sum
I offer you shrimp;
you take it from the steamer
and put it on my own plate.
Dim sum is for gifts;
a dumpling, a smile, a taste;
is that not why we are here?
Lanterne for Dim Sum
Pork
dumpling
on my plate
It's the last bite --
done.
Blason for Dim Sum
Your heart is as sweet as sesame paste,
I'd devour you like dumplings, and leave no waste;
Your wit as crisp as a shrimp ball's crust,
You're as forgiving as soup's hot, I trust?
I was immediately told that since I was a late addition, and didn't know about the tradition until now, I would certainly be excused from bringing something -- indeed, that no excuse was required; it was not a requirement, just something some people did.
However, those of you who know how I am about gifts would know I would not let that sit. And, as it happened, I had many sheets of nicer-than-laser-printer white paper, a stamp with a fancy "S" on it -- for use on Simone's book -- and a very nice Faber Castell Artist's pen.
So: I took those sheets, folded them in half along the long axis; on the outside was the title, and on the inside of each, a hand-written poem on the subject of Dim Sum, with the S stamp and date for signature.
So, presenting to anyone who might be amused, the "Formal Poetry Dim Sum" cycle -- for, like dim sum itself, here's a collection of small bites. ;)
A Limerick on Dim Sum
The advantage of eating dim sum
is simple; the plates simply come
direct to your table.
As soon as you're able,
You can loudly exclaim "Oh, yum!"
A Haiku on Dim Sum
Shrimp, pork, braised tofu;
comes too quickly to savor --
take your own sweet time!
A Ghazal on Dim Sum
What should it be -- that last and perfect bite?
The dumpling, the sprout, the tart, what bite?
I long to once again feel that first soupy burst
of the Shanghai dumpling's vinegary bite.
You tease me with your choices, always more
possibilities before me; I could take one bite.
I watch the other carts, and see plates vanish
from them to other tables; not for me to bite.
Today I shall not reach dim sum perfection,
but I shall enjoy the trial, to the utter final bite.
Gushi on Dim Sum
To each their own unique taste;
The group chooses the menu.
The shattering of fried dough;
the melting of the dumpling.
The rush of food to the plate;
the conversation so calm.
Quodlibet for Dim Sum
In half an hour you'll be hungry again;
Oh, I couldn't eat another bite!
Pass me the plate,
Oh, I couldn't eat another bite!
In half an hour you'll be hungry again;
Pass me the plate!
Sevenling for Dim Sum
Pork buns,
Shrimp dumplings,
and bamboo steamers;
Baked, or steamed,
steamed, or fried,
open, or closed --
choices enough to make you stammer.
Sedoka for Dim Sum
I offer you shrimp;
you take it from the steamer
and put it on my own plate.
Dim sum is for gifts;
a dumpling, a smile, a taste;
is that not why we are here?
Lanterne for Dim Sum
Pork
dumpling
on my plate
It's the last bite --
done.
Blason for Dim Sum
Your heart is as sweet as sesame paste,
I'd devour you like dumplings, and leave no waste;
Your wit as crisp as a shrimp ball's crust,
You're as forgiving as soup's hot, I trust?